VII. Whatsoever have been the effects and fruits of meet-

ings of persons of divers families in the times of corruption or trouble, (in which cases many things are commendable, which otherwise are not tolerable,) yet, when God hath blessed us with peace and purity of the gospel, such meet- ings of persons of divers families (except in cases mention- ed in these Directions) are to be disapproved, as tending to the hinderance of the religious exercise of each family by itself, to the prejudice of the publick ministry, to the rend- ing of the families of particular congregations, and (in pro- giess of time) of the whole kirk. Besides many oifences which may come thereby, to the hardening of the hearts of carnal men, and grief of the -godly.